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I have had request from a few of you to share more about what I try on Pinterest, especially when in comes to recipes. I actually try a lot of things on Pinterest, so I am more than happy to accommodate that. I try various crafts and recipes at whim, so I can’t make promises on how regular these posts will be.

I know Pinterest gets a lot of criticism because the crafts often don’t actually work the way people say they do or they are unrealistic. Because of this Pinterest has recently added a new feature where people can rate whether they had success when they tried making what was on individual pins. Along with it you can leave a note. For instance there have been a few times recipes have been successful for me, but I had to make some small adjustments.

I think overall I have been pretty successful with my Pinterest attempts. I think there are three keys to making sure that you have successful Pinterest attempts too.

Be realistic about your skill level. Just because someone else makes something look easy, it doesn’t mean that you have the same skill level they do.

Don’t be afraid to have some failures. No one is perfect at anything the first time they do anything, unless they are a prodigy.

Don’t be afraid to alter things and go with you gut. Let’s take the recipes for an example. There are a lot of things that can a recipe correct that is posted, but still need to be changed for you. The cookware you are using, temperature variations on the stove or oven you are using, environmental factors, dietary needs, and so much more can be reasons you may need to change a recipe slightly.

Just remember to have fun, and don’t take things so serious.

This past week had me trying two different recipes. The first was for a friend’s birthday party who wanted everyone to bring tapas style food. I hadn’t been feeling well for a while, so my energy levels were on low, but most of my friends are foodies so they expect big things. I wanted to find something to make that would take not too much effort, but make a big impression.

This did go over incredibly well at the party. But I did have to make some small adjustments. The portions on the cheese and bacon seemed way off. I made a double batch, but the only thing I actually ended up using double of was the phyllo cups. I used maybe a quarter more of the ingredients to double it than to just make one batch.

I was recently sent a sampling of Bouchard Chocolate Pralines to review and asked to help spread the word about them now being available in Target stores. It brought up fond memories of my childhood when every year around Christmas my mother would let me order Belgian Chocolate Pralines out of a catalog she had. They were always some of my favorite things to have as a treat, and I suppose that hasn’t really changed as an adult.

I have never been one to really like any sort of cream filled candy that comes in the average American chocolate box, and I think that is why I have always been so fond of Belgian Chocolate Pralines. These aren’t your average chocolates, they are more like chocolates for foodies.

If you aren’t familiar with them don’t let the word praline get you confused. There are several types of pralines in the world, and some people here in the US might automatically think of French Pralines like what are served in the New Orleans area. Belgian Pralines are closer to what you would call a bonbon here in the US.

Let’s take a look at what I received.

This is not the box sold in Target, but just a sampling box for review. However, I think it was still a pretty nice looking box for being just a sample box.

As you can see I got to try nine different flavors, each one more delicious than the last. And in case you wanted a closer look at some of them, I took these:

On the left is Hazelnut & Puffed Rice and on the left is Crème Brulee.

On the left Creamy Caramel and on the right Coconut Cream.

On the left Vanilla Mousse and on the right Almond Gingerbread.

As you can see they are as aesthetically pleasing as they are pleasing to the taste buds. And speaking of taste buds, I had to snap a shot of me trying the Blueberry Ganache, because I am forever a dork.

I am not sure why I look so surprised, so lets chalk it up to being surprised at how awesome these taste.

And in case you were wondering what was on the inside of these, I even managed to get a picture of that.

This is the inside of the Chocolate Mousse. It has a smooth moussey texture that I really love. Moussey is probably not an actual word, but you guys know what I mean.

The only flavor out of the ones I was sent that I did not get a close up shot of is the Raspberry Ganache. It would be really hard to pick a favorite, because they are all so good, but I would say the Crème Brulee and the Almond Gingerbread are must tries because of how unusual they are.

As I mentioned earlier, what I received is not what is available at Target. Though they may contain some of the same flavors as I sampled.

What you can get at Target is one of these two packages pictured above. Which as you can tell from the pictures are already wrapped for gift giving. Convenient, right? I don’t know about you guys, I love to wrap the presents but never seem to have the time. And I think these will make great presents for lots of people. I mean, with the exception of people who are allergic, who doesn’t like chocolate? And if they don’t, do you really need that kind of negativity in your life? Okay I am just joking about that last part, but keep an eye on those people. You obviously can’t trust anyone who doesn’t like chocolate.

But in all seriousness, and back to the topic at hand, here are the two options available at Target:

Bouchard Small Wrapped Ballotin 125g – $5.49

Bouchard Medium Wrapped Ballotin 250g – $9.99

Super affordable even for a tight budget. I know where I am headed to tomorrow for Christmas shopping. How about you? Plus if you have a foodie like me on your list, its an appropriate gift no matter what your age.